How does this medication work? What will it do for me?

Travoprost belongs to a class of medications called prostaglandin analogues. It is used to reduce the pressure inside the eye for people with open-angle glaucoma or ocularhypertension (increased pressure in the eye). Travoprost begins to lower the pressure in the eye approximately 2 hours after using.

Fluid is constantly being formed and drained out of the eye. When this fluid does not drain out of the eye properly, pressure inside the eye increases. Travoprost works by increasing the flow of fluid out of the eye.

This medication may be available under multiple brand names and/or in several different forms. Any specific brand name of this medication may not be available in all of the forms or approved for all of the conditions discussed here. As well, some forms of this medication may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here.

Your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are being given this medication, speak to your doctor. Do not stop using this medication without consulting your doctor.

Do not give this medication to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to use this medication if their doctor has not prescribed it.

How should I use this medication?

The recommended adult dose of travoprost is one drop in the affected eye(s) once daily each evening. Do not use travoprost more than once a day. Using travoprost eye drops more often may decrease the effectiveness of this medication.

Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are using the medication without consulting your doctor.

To use the eye drops:

Wash your hands before using the eye drops.

Remove the cap and place it in a clean location. To avoid possible contamination, keep the tip of the container away from contact with any surface.

Tilt your head back and look towards the ceiling.

With your index finger, gently pull the lower eyelid down and away from the eye to form a pouch.

Instill one drop into the pouch but do not allow the tip of the container to touch the eye or areas around the eye.

Gently apply pressure to the inner corner of the eye (at the bridge of the nose) for about 30 seconds. (This is called nasolacrimal occlusion.) This prevents the medication from dripping down through the tear duct and entering the bloodstream, which could cause you to experience some side effects.

Repeat with the other eye, if prescribed by your doctor.

Wash your hands again to remove any medication.

If you use other eye drops as well, wait at least 5 minutes before using them.

It is important to use this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not instill a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

It is very important to avoid touching the dropper tip to any surface, any skin, or your eye. This contamination can result in a bacterial infection. Report any signs of an eye infection (e.g., redness, irritation, pain) to your doctor immediately.

Store this medication at room temperature and keep it out of the reach of children.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

Who should NOT take this medication?

Do not use this medication if you:

are allergic to travoprost or any ingredients of this medication

are pregnant or planning to become pregnant

What side effects are possible with this medication?

Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.

The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes this medication. If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of this medication with your doctor.

The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking this medication. Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.

Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.

bad taste in mouth

burning or stinging in the eyes with application

change in colour to the iris or eyelashes

constipation

decreased heart rate

dry eyes

dry mouth

eye irritation

eye itchiness

eyelid crusting

feeling of something in the eye

headache

increased tears

lengthening or thickening of eyelashes

redness of the eye

temporarily blurred vision

throat irritation, cough

tired eyes

Although most of the side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not seek medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:

signs of a serious allergic reaction, i.e.,

abdominal cramps

difficulty breathing

nausea and vomiting

swelling of the face and throat

Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking this medication.

Are there any other precautions or warnings for this medication?

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use this medication.

Contact lenses: If you wear contact lenses you should remove the lenses before using the eye drops and wait at least 15 minutes before reinserting them.

Eye changes: This medication may gradually change the colour of the eye, increasing the amount of brown pigment in the iris (coloured part of the eye). The long-term effects on the eye and the chance of injury to the eye are currently not known. The change in colour may be permanent and occurs slowly. It may not be noticeable for several months or years of using this medication. This medication can also cause darkening, thickening, and lengthening of eyelashes. Talk to your doctor if you have any concerns.

Eye conditions: If you have certain types of eye conditions (e.g., uveitis, certain lens problems), discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Pregnancy: This medication should not be used during pregnancy. If you become pregnant while using this medication, contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: It is not known if travoprost passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking this medication, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.

Children: The safety and effectiveness of using this medication have not been established for children.

What other drugs could interact with this medication?

There may be an interaction between travoprost and any of the following:

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

stop taking one of the medications,

change one of the medications to another,

change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or

leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with this medication. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.